Extension-pin.



W. R. AHRENS.

EXTENSION PIN.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 19. 1915.

Patented J an. 25, 1916.

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i NVE NTOR,

WALTER R-AHRENS.

n a N R a 1 T T A THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH cm, WASHINGTON, D. C.

WALTER R. AI-IRENS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

' EXTENSION-PIN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 25, 191%.

Application filed March 19, 1915. Serial No. 15,409.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, \VALTER It. AHRENs, av citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Extension-Pins, of uhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to extension pins or needles and more particularly to that class of pins or needles which may be lengthened or shortened by folding.

One of the objects of my invention is to produce a pin which be folded or unfolded so as to vary the length, and which will have, when either extended or short.- ened a smooth surface from the point to the other end so that when used for instance as a hat-pin there will be no projections to catch the hair of the wearer when the pin is being inserted or removed.

Another object of the invention is to produce a pin or needle which when extended by unfolding will be sufficiently stiff at the joint to prevent any undue tendency of bending or folding when in use.

Another object of the invention is to produce a needle which when unfolded will have a point and shank of one size or shape but which when folded will have an unlike point or shank so that the extended needle may be used for one purpose and the short needle for another.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is a view of an extended instrument showing one embodiment of my invention. Fig. 2 is a view of the instrument folded and at right angles to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view of the instru ment folded and at right angles to Fig. 2.

.Fig. elis an enlarged section along the line 4% of Fig. 1. Figs. 5 and ('3 are fragmental central sections of the instrument. Fig. 7 is a view of a crochet needle which embodies features of my invention; and Fig. 8 is a detail of a portion of the needle shown in Fig. 7.

As shown by the various drawings the shank 1 of the instrument comprises a solid cylindrical portion 2, the bifurcated portion 3, and the tapering portion 4. Between the prongs of the portion 3 is pivoted, at the point 5, the blade 6 or the extension portion of the instrument. This extension comprises a shank portion 7 and the end portions 8 and 9.

When my invention is applied to an awl or hat-pin, the end portions of the blade are pointed, and substantially alike, the taper of the point 8 however being longer or sharper than that of the point 9, so that when folded the point 9, forming then a tended receive projections 11 on the prongs of the fork; and the blade is thus held rigidly in place either closed or extended. The forks spring apart sufliciently to allow the projections to pass into and out of the recesses as the instrument is unfolded or folded. When closed the pointed portion 9 of the blade becomes substantially a continuation of the pointed portions of the prongs; and the pointed portion 8 of the blade passing entirely within the recess 12, at the forked portion of the instrument, there are no projecting portions to cause injury, or to catch the hair of the wearer in case the invention is applied to a hat-pin and the bottom wall of the recess 12 prevents folding of the pin in one direction.

In case of the crochet needle shown in Fig. 7, the hook 13 may differ in shape from the other end of the blade, so that when closed the instrument not only will be shorter but may be used for purposes otherwise than when open. Fig. 8 indicates one form of the other end of the blade which may be used with the needle.

Similarly with the needle Or awl illustrated in Fig. 1, if a small hole is desired, the needle may be extended and the point 8 be used, or if a larger hole is desired the needle may be closed and the point 9 used; so that the needle or awl may be used for small and for large holes, and also for long and for short instruments.

1 claim as my invention 1. An extension pin comprising a shank and a blade, said shank being forked and said blade being pivoted between the arms of said shank at a point nearer one end of said blade than the other; one end of said blade being tapered; when folded the tapered end of said blade being adjacent the outer ends of said arms,

the said ends of aid arms being tapered to conform to the tapering surface of the adjacent sharpened end of said blade, and means for preventing folding of said blade in one direction.

2. A folding pin comprising a shank and a blade, said blade being pointed at each end and being pivoted to said shank; means for locking said blade in said shank with either end of the blade extending in line with said shank, and when so locked the pin having a smooth outer surface from its point to and beyond said pivot and said locking means; said pin with one end of the blade extended being longer than with the other end of the blade extended.

3. A folding pin comprising a shank and a blade; means for locking said shank and blade together with one end of the blade extending a material distance beyond and in line with the shank; means for locking the shank and blade together with the other end of the blade extending beyond and in line with but adjacent to the shank; when in either position the blade and shank having a smooth surface pointed at the end.

4. An extension pin comprising a shank and ablade, said shank being bifurcated and said blade being pivoted to said shank between the arms of said shank at a point nearer one end of said blade than the other; each end of said blade being sharpened for insertion in a fabric, when folded one end of said blade being adjacent the ends of said arms, and the ends of said arms being tapered to conform to the tapering surface of the adjacent sharpened end of said blade and means for locking said blade in a closed or open position.

5. A folding pin comprising a smooth shank and a smooth blade, said blade being pointed at each end and being pivoted to said shank; means for locking said shank and blade together with one of the ends of the blade extending in line with said shank; means for locking said shank and blade together with the other end of said blade extending in line with said shank; when locked in one position the projecting end of said blade being a material distance beyond the end of said shank; when locked in the other position the projecting end being adjacent the end of said shank, and the surfaces of the two ends forming a continuous tapering pointed end.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

-WALTER R. AHRENS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

